Some BISD Parents Petitioning School Board

News KBMT
Story Created: Oct 12, 2009 at 11:12 PM CDT
Story Updated: Oct 12, 2009 at 11:12 PM CDT

A group of Beaumont parents have started a petition. A petition that they say could change the way Beaumont Independent School District board members are elected.

Andre Cokinos, who is leading the petition, says he wants the board to be set up like Beaumont City Council. Instead of seven board members, there would be five board members and two "at-large" board members.

Cokinos says he is going to get 12,000 signatures which would represent 15 percent of registered within the B.I.S.D. He says this is a direct result of several issues like Sallie Curtis Elementary.

Several calls were put into board members and some seemed to support the change.

"I personally would like to see consistency between the city and the school districts," said BISD Board Member Tom Neild. "If this would create more excitement, more voter turnout, then I think it could work."

BISD Attorney Melody Chapell says any charge would have to be approved by the Department of Justice.

Currently there are seven board members, but the petition is calling for five board members and two "at-large" board members.

The "at-large" board members would deal with all sections of the district.


http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/64060642.html